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With backgrounds ranging from technology to spirituality, this year's Dreamforce speakers and performers mirrored the diverse skill sets and personalities permeating today's sales teams.
They also confirmed that sales is no longer an isolated, singular activity— it is quickly becoming a team sport where collaboration and teamwork are the keys to success.
Today's sales teams are more diverse than ever before— spanning several generations, genders, and cultures. Managing to their unique strengths can be challenging and requires an approach tailored to each individual team member.
So what if you had this year's Dreamforce speakers and performers on your sales team? What would it be like to manage or coach them? Lets take a look.
Sales meetings will turn into silent meditations according to Chopra's world. He believes it is more important to get the soul and essence of each individual because he is concerned with the health and well-being of his fellow coworkers. Spiffs and contests for Chopra-types don't exist because competition is meaningless when each person believes in their inner strength.
Strengths: He will have a contagious calming effect on all team members - convincing them that chai mate should replace coffee and Red Bull.
Sandberg will elevate the team's self confidence to believe in themselves and convince their customers it's time to lean in and hand them some dollars - fast. Her politically charming nature will convince you to only expect exceptional sales performance from your team.
Strengths: Everyone wants a Sheryl-type on their team because she is a power magnet that gets results by motivating everyone around her.
Ever since Marissa joined your team, the rules have been broken. Mayer is about new ways of thinking, increased efficiency, and a sense of community. Your team will appreciate her boldness, courage and vision to make the smart decisions.
Strengths: She is way ahead of her time. Her ideas are bold, but she convinces everyone that they are the right ideas. Give her the biggest territory and the toughest set of accounts and she will convince them to think different.
Armstrong, like any good punk rocker, shares a lot of traits with Millennial salespeople. He doesn't have fear and will openly state if he disagrees with your decisions. He's confident and driven and a good salesperson.
Strengths: Billie Joe tends to be popular with other coworkers that are more his style and can champion initiatives that he is passionate about. Tapping into that passion is the key to getting their best performance.
While your sales team certainly will not have as diverse a make up as this years Dreamforce talent, the traditional molds for salespeople are breaking. Open your mind to new personalities and style. Embracing new and exciting ways of doing things is the first step down the path to real innovation and results.
Josiane Feigon is the author of Smart Sales Manager and the best-selling book Smart Selling on the Phone and Online. She is the founder of TeleSmart Communications and is recognized among the "Top 25 Most Influential Inside Sales Professionals."
Learn more about managing your sales team with the free Salesforce ebook below.
